A Woman’s Prayer

Backstory 

I enjoy reading letters, poems, and prose written long ago.  The prose of old is so lyrical, especially when related to romance. How I enjoyed reading the letters sent by my grandfather Anthony to the lovely Stella. They met at an afternoon dance, and he was immediately smitten.  I could just see their love grow, as the letters moved from witty to wistful to fervent.

Today’s show looks into some very old words in a prayer spoken nearly a hundred years ago. Marvel at its simplicity and humility.

A Woman’s Prayer

Elsie sent in a prayer written by Lillian Mayfield Roberts, sometime between 1921 and 1938.  After 80 years, it still seems a relevant appeal.  Lillian prayed,

“Dear God, I am a woman – no weaker and no stronger than the rest. And I ask this prayer tonight, for help and guidance in the little things.

“If I could feel your hand upon my lips on days when I am sick, or merely tired of all the trivial worries, perhaps the stabbing words would not dart out, to wound my child, and turning, cut into my heart.

“I do not want to nag.   I only want guidance to understand that each of us has her small troubles, and that mine are not harder in truth than other women bear.

“And when the little troubles vex me so, I am too prone to turn and cry them out In maudlin tears upon my husband’s breast. Keep me from this; he has enough to bear.

“And one more prayer that I would make tonight: If I could only see the difference between the really big things and the little things. . .

“I do not ask for better, or for more, I only ask for this: God keep my soul from growing petty.  It will be enough. Help me in this, and I am satisfied.”

P.S.  I love this simple morning prayer because it expresses gratitude and children easily remember the words, due to the rhyme.

For this new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends.
For everything Thy goodness sends,
We thank Thee, dearest Lord. Amen.

[Show #633]